Container and closure therefor



Sept. 27, 1955 JAMIESQN 2,718,996

CONTAINER AND CLOSURE THEREFOR Filed Nov. 5, 1952 0 770 ENE/5.

United States Patent '0 CONTAINER AND CLOSURE THEREFOR Merwin M. Jamieson, Memphis, Tenn., assignor to Gaylord Container Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., 21 corporation of Maryland Application November 5, 1952, Serial No. 318,821

2 Claims. (Cl. 229-23) This invention appertains to a' storage container and more particularly to a closure particularly adapted to be used in a container constructed of solid fibreboard, corrugated fibreboard or any other suitable material.

In the packaging of fragile articles for storage such as china, light furniture and the like, the moving and storage industry often packs the articles in wooden or metal barrels, boxes and similar containers. Such containers, while comparatively sturdy have the disadvantage of being relatively expensive and quite heavy thereby adding considerably to the weight which must be transported. Due to the relative rigidity of the wooden and metal containers, extreme care must be exercised when packing the articles within the container, as well as when moving the barrel into the home of the user. The rigidity prevents the container from absorbing shocks such as occur when the package is shaken or jolted in normal handling and transportation. It has also been found that the heavy wooden and metal barrels present a considerable storage problem since they cannot be knocked down or collapsed. These containers, due to their very nature, are also difficult to dispose of after they are used.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a sturdy, inexpensive polygonal container adapted for storing fragile articles.

A further object is to provide a storage container which may be erected without requiring the use of special tools or devices, and which may be manually collapsed and knocked down.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a container which can be shipped to the user and stored in a knocked down, flatwise condition requiring a minimum of storage space.

Another object is to provide a light weight storage container which will substantially reduce the tare weight of previous containers of this type.

Still another object is to provide a shipping and storage container which affords a large unobstructed area for the printing of advertising, identification marks and the like.

A still further object is to provide a container of flexible construction adapted to absorb shocks occurring in the handling of the package.

These and other objects will be apparent on a full and complete examination of the specification.

This invention comprises a multi-wall container having a slotted end closure with side marginal flanges, body wall flaps inserted through the closure slots and positioned in flatwise relation against the closure flanges and in parallel relation to the container body walls, the closure flanges and wall flaps being secured in parallel relation to the body walls by suitable encircling means.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification, like numerals and symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container employing a preferred form of the invention. The bottom Patented I Sept. 27, 1955 "Ice closure is shown in secured position while the top closure is shown partially closed. A portion of the top closure is cut away to show the interior of the'container.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a blank for the cover member of the container.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a blank for the holy of a container. Y

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

A blank A for a preferred embodiment of a hexagonal container body is shown in Figure 3. The blank A is provided with foldably connected side panels 11 which are defined in part by side scores 12. Retaining notches 13 are positioned on the side scores 12 in spaced relation to the ends of the side panels 11. 'Foldably connected end extensions or flaps 14 are provided on the ends of each side panel 11. Double scores 15 define the junction between the end extensions 14 and the side panels 11. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the double scores 15 are spaced apart by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of the material from which the container is made. The side edges of the end extensions or tabs 14 may be tapered inwardly as at 16. A side panel connecting flap 17 is provided adjacent the sides of one of the endmost side panels 11. The connecting flap 17 is preferably substantially coextensive with the adjacent side score 12.

Two cover members B ,are provided, one for the top of the container and one for the bottom of the container. In the preferred embodiment, each cover member B is provided with a cover panel 18 which is defined by edge scores 19 which also define the inner side edges of closure flaps 20 which are foldably connected to the cover panel 18. The closure flaps 20 are preferably provided with side notches 21 spaced approximately midway the side edges 22 of the closure flaps 20. C10- sure slots 23 are provided preferably in straddling relation, along the edge scores 19. The closure slots 23 are of suitable dimension to receive the end extensions 14 of the container body.

A method of erecting the preferred embodiment of the container described hereinbefore is to fold the container body A about the center side scores 12 and secure the connecting flap 17 to the adjacent free outer margin of the side panel 11. By manual or other means, the container is formed into a substantially polygonal shape. The bottom cover member B is then positioned on the lower portion of the container by inserting the bottom end extensions 14 through the closure slots 23. The bottom cover member B is positioned so that the underface thereof will be in contacting relation with end edges or shoulders 24 of the side panels 11. In this position the end extensions 14 are folded outwardly into flatwise relation against the outer face of the closure flaps 20. The contacting end extensions 14 and closure flaps 20 are then folded preferably simultaneously outwardly into locking position in flatwise contacting parallel relation with the outer face of the adjacent side panel 11. In this position the side notches 21 are in superimposed alignment with the retaining notches 13.

With all the end extensions 14 and closure flaps 20 in this position, a banding element 25 is positioned around the end margin of the container. The banding element 25 extends through the superimposed retaining notches 13 and side notches 21. As the banding element 25 is tightened, the closure member is securely locked to the container body. In this position the folded over end extension 14 firmly maintains the bottom end cover member in the locked position. The adjacent closure flaps 20 act to reinforce the end of the container as well as provide a bearing area for the end extensions 14, and banding element 25. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, the end edges of the closure flaps 20 are preferably. cut so that, in the closed position of the cover member B, they will be in firmly abutting relation. This provides a sturdy rimlike reinforcement forthe end of the container body.

The container is then loaded and the top closure member B is applied in a similar manner. After the top has been applied, the container is ready to be shipped. In order to unload the container, the .userhas merely to release the top banding element 25 and move the end extensions 14 to a substantially vertical position. The cover member B canbe easily lifted off the container body A thereby exposing the contents of the container.

It is, apparent that this container is susceptible of many variations within the scope of the invention depending uponthe particular use desired. For instance, reinforcing' ends andinterior pads may be used to provide a container adapted for extremely heavy duty use. It is also possible to varythe number of sides in order to adapt the container for a particular article. It is also apparent that any suitable banding means could be used. In the preferred embodiment described, ordinary rope is used. However, steel strapping, wire or other means are equally satisfactory.

What I claim is:

I 1. A container including a body and an end closure therefor, said body having a side wall structure with a plurality of normally upstanding foldably connected end flaps thereon, said side wall structure being defined by spaced vertically disposed parallel scores, said end closure comprising a substantially flat closure panel having a plurality of hinged foldably connected individual marginal flanges thereon and in substantially the same plane therewith and having a notch formed in each side edge thereof, there being a slot formed at the fold line of the flanges to allow the upstanding end flaps to enter and pass therethrough, the flaps folded downwardly in engagement with exterior surfaces of the marginal flanges, the engaged flaps and flanges being disposed in substantial parallelism with the side wall structure with the inner face of each flange contacting marginal portions of the side wall structure, the notched edges of the flanges and the notches therein facing each other at the vertically disposed parallel score lines on the body, and a flexible band-like member encircling and engaging the flanges and flaps and with spaced portions of the encircling band-like member resting in the facing notches in the side edges of the flanges to maintain the cover on the body.

2. The container as defined in and by claim 1 wherein the spaced vertically disposed parallel scores of the wall structure provide corners and there are notches at least in some of these corners and such notches being disposed so as to be in registry with the notches in the edges of the flanges, whereby spaced portions of the band-like member will rest in the notches in the side edges of the flanges and the notches in the corners of the side walls to thus effectively maintain the cover on the body.

Modern Fruit Packing, catalog published by Fruit & Produce Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana, copyright 1940. 

